The answer is YES! I don’t favor things that have a huge buzz around them. If everyone else is hyped about something, I’m usually hesitant to engage in it. So I never thought I would hop on the Costco bandwagon and buy a membership. I actually resisted it at first only going with friends instead of getting my own membership. But alas, in 2017, I bought in. Why? Because it saves me a ton of money.

Costco Membership Cost is Minimal

Basic membership at Costco costs $60 annually (which means you’re paying $5 a month for it). The executive membership is $120 a year. The notable difference to me is that the executive membership gives you 2% cashback on your purchases at the end of the year. So for me, the only time the executive membership is worth it is if you’re spending AT LEAST $3,000 a year at Costco. That way, you get that extra $60 you paid back. Otherwise, use a card with a great cash back rewards program and you’re set.

Costco Warehouse Savings Versus Amazon

There is no contest here….like AT ALL! I am always stunned by how much money you save shopping at Costco instead of buying things on Amazon. Also, as an aside, their customer service is just as good.

I usually get staples using Amazon’s Subscribe & Save. However, as the items I would normally get online started to become available at Costco, I started cancelling those Amazon subscriptions. A three-pound bag of Chia seeds cost $6.99 ($2.33/lb) at my local Costco in September of 2020. On Amazon, I was buying a two-pound bag for $10.99 ($5.50/lb). So by purchasing it at Costco, I save over 50% per bag.

Most recently, I purchased alcohol swabs off Amazon because it has been difficult to find them in any store. I bought a 4-pack of 100 swabs each from Amazon for $10.65. However, on my next trip to Costco, I found the same EXACT item for $4.49. I quickly returned THAT Amazon package.

Costco also helps make meal-prep easy while saving you dough. For example, I routinely buy a bagged salad at Costco for about $9 for 7 servings. For protein, I buy grilled chicken at Costco for about $8. So for about $17, I get a week’s worth of lunch that I just have to assemble.

READ MORE: Simple Ways to Save on Groceries

READ MORE: 5 Reasons You Need to Start Meal Prepping Today

It’s Worth It to Me to Have a Costco Membership

1. My Costco is within walking distance. It is 6 min by car. I don’t know if I’d ever buy into a Costco membership if I had to drive over 20 minutes to get to one.
2. Their customer service is great. While I’m sure it happens because no one’s perfect, I have never seen a staff member be rude to customers. I have even called ahead for a price check.
3. Costco gas prices are so low in comparison to surrounding gas stations. As I am writing this, Costco is charging $2.43 per regular gallon while Wawa is selling the same for $2.69. So Costco gas savings are worth it.
4. They have sales! Like grocery stores, Costco has sales. However, instead of a weekly circular, they provide their members with a Costco saving book every month. It is a good opportunity to plan your meals and other shopping around the current promotions available.
5. They have a good reputation as employers. If you’re the sort of person who fraternizes only places that treat their employees well, then Costco is the place for you.
6. The Costco food court is very popular with its hot dog and pizza among other things. However, since I’m calorie-conscious, I lean more toward the food samples throughout the store. COVID has shut down that for the past year but I can’t wait for it to resume once this pandemic is over.

But It May Not be Worth It to You

1. If your nearest Costco is too far for you, it may not be worth it to purchase a membership there. Do you have other warehouse clubs in your area, like a BJ’s Warehouse or Sam’s Club? Your local grocery store might also provide opportunities to purchase in bulk. This can come in handy if you don’t have any other option.
2. If you don’t trust yourself to use up and/or freeze the food you buy, then buying your food in bulk may not be for you. I must say, I worked my way to this because we’re a small family. Non-perishables, like beans, rice, and peanut butter, can store in your pantry for a very long time. On the other hand, depending on the size of your family, produce or bread may not be a good purchase choice for you. We don’t want waste.
3. If you don’t have room to store larger size items, then a membership at a warehouse store might not be for you. You can get creative with storage if you like if you still want to take advantage of amazing warehouse deals. If your space won’t allow for it though, then the membership route is not for you.

Just beware…

Don’t just assume that because you’re getting something at Costco or another warehouse store that you’re automatically saving money. It’s important to do the math. When I was searching for furniture for my balcony, I was pleasantly surprised to find a great set that checked all my boxes on Costco’s website. However, the reviews alerted me to the fact that if I bought it in store, it would be cheaper. So I used the online chat feature to ask customer service about where it would be in stock. Fortunately, we found it locally, borrowed a friend’s truck, and saved HUNDREDS of dollars.

So the lesson here is that having a Costco membership doesn’t take away the need to price compare in order to save money. Some products in the store, even when buying in bulk, doesn’t save you more than shopping for those very same items at your local grocery store. However, as you get familiar with Costco’s offerings, you’ll know really quickly which deals are worth it.

Your turn. Do you have a warehouse membership? If so, which one? If not, what stops you from joining one? Share in the comments below. You can also check out this video on how you can maximize savings at Costco.